Isaac Eziukwu
Isaac Eziukwu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1934 |
| Died | October 23, 1973 |
Isaac Eziukwu (1934 - October 23, 1973) was a Nigerian Bahá’í who was the first pioneer to Gabon.
Biography[edit]
Eziukwu was born in Umuokehi village in Nigeria in 1934. In his career he became a trader and he also served as a lay preacher in his church.[1]
He moved to Bangui in the Central African Republic for work at some point where he first heard of the Faith in 1956 when someone read a Bahá’í prayer while he was visiting a friend. He borrowed the prayer book and became a Bahá’í after studying it for a few days.[1] In 1961 he was able to deepen his knowledge of the Faith when Qudratu’lláh Ázamíkháh pioneered to Bangui and together they helped establish the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bangui in 1962. Ázamíkháh departed shortly after the Assembly was established and Eziukwu became the primary driver of Bahá’í activity in the city.[2]
In 1964 the Universal House of Justice launched the Nine Year Plan which called for Bahá’ís to pioneer to regions where the Faith had not yet been established. Eziukwu pioneered to Gabon settling in Libreville in June, 1964, and began repairing kerosene lamps to support himself financially. He was successful in his teaching efforts an the Local Spiritual Assembly of Libreville was formed in 1966. In the late 1960's Eziukwu, inspired by visiting travel teachers, began traveling to the interior of Gabon to expand his teaching efforts and with the help of another pioneer he was able to establish a Local Spiritual Assembly in Mounana and small communities elsewhere in the country.[2]
In 1971 Eziukwu began efforts to have the Bahá’í Faith officially recognized as a religion in Gabon submitting to by-laws of the Libreville Assembly to the civil authorities. He did not receive a response and in July 1973 he became seriously ill and in October he returned to Nigeria with his wife and infant son and passed away on October 23. The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after his passing:
"‘ . . . the sad news of the passing of Mr. Isaac Eziukwu was received and it brought deep sorrow to our hearts. This devoted and steadfast believer was a sincere promoter of the Cause, and a true lover of the Blessed Beauty. He spent his days in detachment and service, and set an example of dedication to his fellow believers wherever he was. We assure you of our fervent prayers at the Holy Shrines for the continued progress of his noble soul in the Abhá Kingdom . . ."[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1978). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 16 (1973-1976), Pg(s) 522. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1978). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 16 (1973-1976), Pg(s) 523. View as PDF.
